"High school and middle school kids are crossing the street wherever they feel like it," said Councilman George Belcher. "We need law enforcement to keep people from wandering all over."

Siegel mentioned the remorse of a friend who, driving down Hammond near Seward Street, hit a bicyclist who had darted into the road. "People in mobile wheelchairs are vulnerable, too," he said.

Councilman Rob Waligroski recalled seeing a blind man unsuccessfully trying to cross the street. "He was at the crosswalk with his cane held high, and no one stopped."

In other business, garbage issues continued.

"At the top of Pike Street, the Port Jervis welcome sign is overflowing again," said Siegel, referring to a persistently overflowing trash container, particularly visible on Pike Street.

"It's unhealthy, unsanitary, and disgusting," said Siegel. "We need laws to enclose and lock Dumpsters and prohibit keeping them in front."

Belcher said that he and city building official Wayne Kidney have been working on the Pike Street problem. "We'll be going to court," he said, noting that the offender's backyard contained "half a car, a toilet, and a bunch of junk."

Siegel clarified a statement he made at a previous meeting about having small trucks take loads from backyard trash bins. He said he did not mean people should buy trucks for that purpose, but rather have trash removal companies use their smaller trucks.

However, one city eyesore has been resolved, Siegel noted: The notorious, deteriorating pink house on Main Street has been demolished.

Unfortunately, as a result, Siegel said, numerous feral cats are now homeless. The animal control officer will trap them one at a time.

And as one eyesore goes down, one renovation is afoot. Mayor Russ Potter said Pike Plaza owner William Paladino has assured him that work on the plaza's renovation is "proceeding."